So let’s get this out of the way.
You guys have been so supportive and forgiving about all my slip-ups: Spending $60 on a coat (which I paid off gradually by NOT shopping), ordering those obis before the birthday check from Mom arrived (which I diligently paid back once it came in the mail). But this one has no loophole, and I’m ready to face the music:
Week 16 was the week of my birthday, and I overspent my gift money by $115. Not a huge amount, in the grand scheme of things, but still. I did it willingly – ponied up for a pair of tall red boots that I KNEW I’d just kick myself for passing on – and was unwilling to return other purchases to account for the difference.
I feel like I’ve been in a vicious little vortex of almost-cheating for a while now, and it was a bit of a relief to just bite the bullet and cheat for real. I’m ashamed, I feel greedy, I hate myself a little. But I have more or less made my peace by now. Although the temptation to cheat further has been strong – once I’d screwed up, why not just keep going? – I have resisted. And I feel like the experience of breaking my agreement with myself has renewed my desire to behave from now on.
So there it is. Don’t hate me, OK? OK.
There was also thrifting during birthday week, pre-cheat, and I landed some great (non-returnable) loot. Since I hadn’t spent my $10 the week previous, I even had $20 at my disposal. Talk about birthday abundance!
Brown velvet blazerFulfills: Brown velvet blazer(!)
This outfit is about seven years in the making. I bought that glorious tiered silk skirt at Banana Republic seriously about seven years ago, and have struggled to find a top to complement it ever since. FINALLY, last summer a stretch silk blouse fell into my hands at Marshalls, and I was able to wear the skirt in September … but I knew a blazer would make the outfit cold-weather friendly. I sought out velvet to keep the outfit luxe-looking, and although this blazer is fairly cheaply made, the cut is so cute I’m willing to forgive it.
Studded beltFulfills: Studded belt(!)
Every thrift store in the Twin Cities has a giant, overflowing rack of belts. But do you know what’s virtually NEVER lurking amongst those swaying strips of leather? Studded belts. This bad boy was a miracle find. I had to remove two studs to make it small enough, but it was an easy enough fix.
Houndstooth pencil skirtFulfills: Houndstooth pencil skirt(!)
It’s snug. Rather scandalously so, but I can manage for now. And come warm weather and 12 mile round-trip bike rides to work, this little number will glide effortlessly over my southern regions.
Tie-neck blouseFulfills: Tie-neck blouse(!)
I’ve seen so many of my fellow bloggers rock this look, and just KNEW that if I waited long enough, a cute little printed tie-neck would turn up. Well an utterly adorable – albeit gigantic – printed tie-neck finally turned up. It’s got pink chrysanthemums on a bright red background, it’s a bit of a tent on me, and it’s riddled with unbelievable static cling. But under my red sweater, it looks perfect.
Four wishlist items procured with $0.50 to spare? Damn, I’m good.
Well, actually, I’m BAD, as discussed above. But you can bet that’ll be the last of it until April, when the ban finally lifts. Thanks to all of you lovely readers for providing some built-in accountability. If I hadn’t been thinking of the embarrassing confession I’d have to make about my misstep, there probably would’ve been far more than $115 of overage. You’re keeping me honest! Or honest-er, anyway. So, really, thanks.
And please, PLEASE don’t hate me. OK? OK.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
ur absolutely welcome!
Great finds! Sometimes, when you find something you have been looking for, you have to get it. Remember, you’ve done a great job saving money and that was a big part of what the ban was all about.
Belated Happy Birthday!!! I adore the silk tiered skirt and that blazer, oh and the neck tie blouse looks fantastic
Honestly, don’t worry about it. Also, I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to see those boots!
Of course we don’t hate you! Everyone slips up, as you well know from reading about how my January budget went. It’s true that it’s so easy to continue cheating once you’ve started. But you’re hanging in there and you’re learning a lot about yourself and your spending habits in the process. You still rock!
Hey..I say, it’s our birthday month, you are entitled to treat yourself.
I know I have..teeheee..even yesterday I got some killer oxford shoes that have been on my list for ages, and they were only $2.00..I love thrifting!!
Erin
It’s tough to ban yourself from shopping when you clearly enjoy “the thrill of the hunt,” as they say. Trust me I know the feeling. As Alison stated, “you have done a great job saving money,” so I say – a little treat is deserved. Your blog is quite an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your outfits, thoughts, etc.
Yoli for NYC
Nice finds. A studded belt is so versatile–I found one at Buffalo Jeans that was a replica of the one SJP wore in the Sex and the City movie marked down to $10 and I love wearing it over more girly looks.
I second Alison’s comment. Don’t beat yourself up too much about the boots. You never know when those great finds are going to come along, and you have to be ready to grab them when they do.
It’s very interesting to read about your shopping, because there is such a difference between your style and mine. You have such a specific list of things you need and want, that you can buy a tie-neck blouse even though it’s perfect only in certain circumstances. My style is to wait until I find a piece that is UTTERLY perfect, with or without any other garment. But that means I can’t shop that much, because it’s hard to find perfection. Interesting, how different strategies work for different people, isn’t it?
May I hate you for the second outfit?! Cause I’m totally envious of that entire look (especially that eye-popping skirt!). lol! Boots, in my not-so-humble opinion, are one of those things you general have to splurge on to get a pair that you really love. So don’t feel too badly about it.
All those looks are fantastic, btw! You’re definitely inspiring me to start hitting the thrift shops again (since I moved to FL in November, I’ve only been to two thrift shops! EEEK!).
You’re beating yourself up enough for all the rest of us – not that it’s our job to judge. We’re just the chorus
And I am so impressed, not only by your ban-commitment, but by your honesty in chronicling its challenges. You have no one to explain yourself to, Sal.
ummm….so when do we get to see the BOOTS? Bright red boots? I’m salivating already, Sal. I wanna see these puppies! =)
I’m watching some stuff on ebay and contemplating being bad, myself. THere’s a dress I coveted about 4 years ago in an early fall anthro catalogue (yes, I remember the catalogue, the shoot, even some of the other things I wanted but knew I could never afford), a pair of boots I missed in my size, at the same sale price…and a vintage piece that is just too exciting to mention as I’m sure it’ll go far higher than I’m willing to pay.
but the boots are on buy it now and every day I am looking and thinking…should I? shouldn’t I? I know I probably shouldn’t, but then later will I think I should have? It’s a highly covetable piece for me … well, I’ll keep you posted! We might both be in the doghouse this week! =)
Oh yes happy belated birthday and you have snagged some lovely things. Hm hard to not spend – I think you (as in one, not you personally!) need something more motivational than a ban – its a bit like having to diet bound to make you think about wanting things!
You look seriously gorgeous in every one of these pictures! Like, even prettier than usual. There’s got to be some secret. I assume you’ve been in love with Mike since I started reading your blog, and you’ve always had style out the wazoo, so I am left here wondering what the difference is. Hmmmmmmm
Just got home from thrifting myself and felt like I scored big! One thing I found was an amazing pair of good quality black pants – I usually avoid digging through the huge mess of pants where I find nothing. I did manage to resist an odd yellow skirt with a quirky, ugly pattern that I fell in love with. I would’ve regretted it after I’d worn it once and was done with it…I’m trying to be smarter in the thrifting department these days…
F.Y.I. I don’t know if anyone has sent this to you yet, but I think this post is about you.
I like the romantic swirly bottom with the velvet jacket . . .
You can’t pass up one-time-only deals that you would be an idiot to pass up. That’s just cruel. So please don’t beat yourself up too much! I have been on a makeup-shoes-clothes-accessories ban since the beginning of the year and I’m letting up in March. So I know how you feel! If there was a great one time deal out there that I had to have, I’d totally break the ban. What is keeping me going is how much money I’ve saved over the past month. WOW. There’s some incentive.
Looking good in every picture — money well spent!
My dear no one has the right to judge you and you don’t be too hard on yourself, beauty.
After all it was your Bday!!
And you look absolutely gorgeous in those outfits.
xoxo
Anonymous: Huh! I hadn’t seen that … I wonder if it IS about me. Sounds like it.
I’m a big fan of the studded belt outfit and that tie-neck blouse is perfect under that sweater.
Additionally, I love you guys. Seriously. I know I’m hard on myself, but I also know that it’s kind of ridiculous to feel like I can’t pass up a pair of boots … when I already have several. More than several.
ANYWAY, it’s now been two weeks since the cheating incident (these updates are lagging behind realtime), and no slip-ups. I do feel confident that I’ll be able to safely make it till April. Thanks in no small part to YOUR support.
Omgosh, Sally, I just got almost the same brown velvet jacket as yours … at a thrift store … for the same price … BUT, it was 1/2 off day so I waited in line for 30 min. to get my discount. It will go great w/my thrifted shift for $2 and my brown tights (forgot price) and brown pumps. Since I've seen how cute you look in your jacket I'll have more confidence to know that at least I'm stylin'! Oh, & btw, we don't hate you … you do too much good w/your blogarific insights that we're willing to overlook this.
Sal, we’re all human.
So in that case, I wanna see the offending boots
Hi Sal-LOL, you’re good….. and bad……..!! Seriously, great thrift finds which you’ve worked into great outfits. We all splurge every now and then, don’t feel too bad!
Nope, sorry, I HATE YOU! HOW COULD YOU CHEAT???
Don’t be daft Sal, it’s impossible to hate you, you’re just too sweet!
OH and by the way, happy belated birthday for whenever it was in the past week. Sorry I missed it! xxx
Wow- great bargains!
I’ve given you an award – come on by and pick it up.
Oooh, and I promise photos of the boots. Soon!
No hate…gotta love those snakeskin shoes, too. they look kinda familiar
the red skirt is beautiful